How Clean is Your Oil?

Did you know the main cause of operating faults in hydraulic systems is heavily contaminated fluid?

External (1) Contamination enters the fluid by means of filler caps and seals.

Internal (2) Contamination results from parts moving within the hydraulic system. The dirt particles which appear in a hydraulic fluid during operation are collectively called operational contamination.
This dirt may leak in from outside onto the piston rod through weak seals, breathers or by insufficient wiping. It may also be caused by abrasion (abrasion of seals, metal filings) within the system or by aging of the hydraulic fluid.

Particles smaller than 5 micron are highly abrasive. If present in sufficient quantities, these invisible silt particles cause rapid wear destroying hydraulic pumps, motors and other components.